Drink From the Well

Now Jacob's fountain was there. Jesus, being tired after his journey, was resting by the fountain. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to get water, and Jesus said to her, Give me some water. (John 4: 6-7 HCSB)


I was reading from a book, titled, “ Prayers that Bring Healing and Activate Blessings,” By John Eckhardt. In this particular passage, which takes place in John 4: 6-7. Jesus is returning for a long journey and stops to rest. There he meets a Samaritan woman. The woman showed not physical need of healing, but Jesus knew she needed a spiritual healing. Her need for this healing, was being drawn from the spiritual well, Jesus had within Him, was being played out by her physical need to draw water from Jacob’s well. The more she pressed and the more she surrendered to the longing for wholeness in her heart, the deeper she dug into the well of the Spirit. At one point she demanded, “ Sir, give this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” The woman put the demand on the Spirit that would never be refused.

When we are thirsty for the healing, we dig deep, into the well of the Spirit. Just like this woman, we can demand on the healing anointing and draw from it. There is a never -ending supply of the Spirit to EVERY believer. Many times we sit back, waiting on God to do something, when the He has already placed the well in our midst to draw from it. Dig and dig until YOU find the water of your Spirit.

When Someone Has Let You Down

I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.
(Hebrews: 13:5 HCSB)



When has someone let you down?

It is bound to happen, right? After all, we are human. We can’t read minds. We can’t be everywhere at once. We can’t wave a magic wand and make everything perfect.

Maybe the person that let you down is a family member. Maybe it was a friend. Maybe it was a co – worker. Maybe it is the church.

Maybe is something that left you wondering about the integrity of the other person. Often times, we put our trust or hope in another person, only to be let down in some way. Something is bound to get in the way, a distraction, a forgotten date, or we are simply overlooked.

Maybe it is something that happened a long time ago and you can’t shake it.

Maybe it something you have become accustomed to, so you have learned not to sweat it, yet deep down, the sting still hurts when memories resurface.

What do you do with these thoughts and feelings? Do you bury them deep inside allowing them to lay dormant, possibly never addressing the pain? Or do you go straight to the person, lay it out on the table and clear the air? We have all been there sometime or another in our life. No one can ever go through life, without feeling the repercussion from being let down in some way.

If we bury our feelings, we tend to let the hurt and pain grow, getting out of hand, thinking we are in control. If we attack the person with all vigor and might, we can make matters worse, by over reacting or possibly over stepping a boundary or two.

It is hard to say for sure, isn’t it? You know yourself better than anyone. So, you probably already know how you would address the situation. So, let me ask another question: How is that working for you?

I wonder, if we tried something different: What if we took it to God first? What if, as soon as we were feeling unease or disturbed, by another person’s actions or response, we went straight to God?

We are never alone. God takes His job seriously. If the matter is big or small, your problem is important to Him. God has promised to never leave you or forsake you. Man might, but God WILL not! If you may need to approach someone for resolution, ask God for wisdom and how to approach the person in which the conflict lies.

So, since we already know disappointment is bound to happen or that we may loose confidence in a person, should we give up? Should we put up wall of defense, so that we are never hurt again? Do we shut down, never trusting anyone enough to let our guard down? It is a fact of life. We will run across disappointment from time to time.

Is it asking too much for someone to follow through with a promise? Is it too much to ask that when person gives his word, he will stick to it?

Absolutely, not.

We should expect that a person remain loyal and true to a promise. However, when that doesn’t happen to our expectation, how do YOU handle it?

Do you forgive? Or do you stew? After all, if we held on to the anger or resentment from every time we may experience disappointment, the bondage would be so tight; we wouldn’t be able to breath. That doesn’t sound fun to me, at all.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Remember, we are all human. We will be let down from time to time. We will experience a hurt feeling every now and then. We will be disappointed in another person. And yes, the road goes both ways. We will in turn do the same to another. We may forget. We may over look. We may not understand another’s persons needs and not know how to reach them.

What if it seems to happen over and over, especially with the same person? Are we to continue believing in someone that has proven over and over, that promises are easy to break? Ask God how to handle the relationship. Pray for discernment. Pray for wisdom. And pray for that person.

Do you take your disappointments to God? Do you share your feelings with Him? Do you explain your needs to have an understanding ear or a strong shoulder to offer encouragement? Do you ask God to bring you peace?

Life gets complicated. I have often heard this phrase. To have a friend, you must be a friend. Sometimes, that also means forgiving that friend, family, co – worker or the church for not meeting your expectations.

We are instructed that if a brother or sister sins against us, we are to go them privately and try to reconcile.

"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. Matthew 18: 15.

We often get caught up in our emotions, we forget most importantly that God cares and loves us more than anything, anyone and especially understands us more than we understand ourselves.

Remember that God will never leave you or forsake you. You are never alone. He cares about you and especially wants you to trust in Him. And even the valleys of disappointments, we can always count on the one truth – God.

Prayers

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayers for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (Psalm 116: 1-2 HCSB)


This may be the most impromptu thought I have every had and it certainly it the most unrehearsed idea that has come to me. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I'm a planner. I don't like surprises and I try to think over an idea before I act upon it. I am not one to step up to be seen and I certainly would never want to cause embarrassment to another person.

With that being said, as I was getting ready for work this morning I began to wonder about this prayer idea. I don't know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time praying. Of course Satan loves that idea. Whatever you are forgetting to do, it will certainly come to you once you sit down, determined to spend a few moments with God. Every thought, every distraction will fill your mind. You begin with best intentions, but before you know it, the mind has wondered off to the laundry or what bill has to be paid. It strays to the movie you watched the night before and try to guess how many times hearing the 'f' word is enough? Satan is tricky like that. He draws you away. He puts ill and ugly thoughts in your mind, keeping you from talking to your Father.

I know this happens to me. So, as I was getting my things prepared this morning and thinking about what the day will entail, I also had this thought: What if when I set out to pray, I had direct and certain prayers to keep me on track, so that my mind wouldn't wonder and be distracted? I began thinking about all those that I know and perhaps don't know that could use a little extra prayer sent up on their behalf.

I began thinking about anyone that has ever been hurt, mentally, physically or sexually abused and can't seem to shake the memories and go forward. I began to think about the families that may be suffering financially and are the verge of having a utility turned off or even loosing their home. I thought about the single moms that is either holding down a job or furthering her education to better things for herself and children. I thought about the man that has disability and feels unworthy because he can not provide for his wife and children as he once could. I think about the student that wonders if she will make it through course and actually graduate. I think about the family that is going through personal struggles that stays behind closed doors, wondering if it will ever get any better? I think about the parent that has lost a child and the sting of pain never seems to go away. I think about person that lost a spouse and now has to carry on alone, without the companion he or she shared so much. I think about that loved one struggling with an addiction and we just don't know how to help. I think about the person that has questions and wants to know more about Jesus, but doesn't know who or how to go about getting the answers. I think about those that don't know Him at all and would rather be in a pit of rattlesnakes than to be interesting in a Savior.


God doesn't want us to stay in a pit. God wants us to be joyful people, rejoicing in His word, living every moment that we can with a smile on our hearts and on our face.

I don't know what all to pray for or who needs them, but God does. So, this is my pledge. I WILL pray for you! I am not in the embarrassing business, so no matter what you choose to share, I promise it will remain between you and God. I will pray for you and I hope that you will feel and receive the prayers.

If you want to email me with any thing specific, I welcome you to and again I promise I will not embarrass or reveal anything that you share.

You can send me a personal email through Facebook or to my personal email at taxzcab@gmail.com.

I am your friend. I am here. I will pray for you. I don't have the answers, but God does. Sometimes it just takes that first step in handing it over to Him, letting go of whatever you are holding so tightly too and allow the creator of our world and universe to do His thing. He is there, ready, able and willing. We just have to be able to recognize that no matter how strong or special we are, God has the ultimate control. He loves you and wants the best for you and your everyday life.

Know that without a doubt that even if you don't know Him, He knows you.

My prayer for you today is relax in that thought. Relax in knowing that nothing is bigger than God. Relax and be assured that you are here because God wants you be and no matter what you are facing, you never have to go about it alone.

Let Me Tell You About My Friend

A Friend Loves At All Times – (Proverbs 17:17 HCSB)

February 12, 2011



“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

She is there, waiting in the wings for that, ‘just in case’ moment. She is only a phone call away. She shares your joy. She is offers spontaneous surprises. She provides wisdom. She has a great laugh. She enjoys life. She is there to offer assistance, with an open mind and giving heart. She is rare and loyal. She is a friend, through thick and thin. She is constant. It gives me great pleasure to recognize my friend. Every now and then, we get the opportunity to reflect and be thankful for our friends. I am certainly thankful for mine.

Let me tell you about my friend, Paula. Thirty years ago, Paula and I met. Actually, at the time, I don’t believe either one of us realized the significance it would bring to our lives. Paula is a rare treasure; the type that increase in value over time. As each year passes, the time spent together, moments shared and the bond we have developed has only improved. Over time, we have gained maturity and wisdom. We appreciate each other’s unique attributes. We believe that our journey as friends has been God directed and God led.

I consider Paula more than just my friend. She is my sister. We didn’t come from the same bloodlines and no common family background. We didn’t grow up together. In fact, we didn’t meet until we were in our late teens. Maybe that is what made our meeting so special. Neither one of us was expecting it, yet it came just at the right time

All those years ago when we first me, I needed a friend. I believe she needed one too. Maybe that is why we jelled right away. February 7 marks my younger sister’s birthday. It is a time of year, when I would reflect on Tina. Her life, the short time we got to be sisters. It also reminded me to celebrate her eternal LIFE in Heaven. Of course I missed her. I missed the moments we created and what it meant to have that one person on earth that had the same interests, the same sense of humor, the quiet tenderness only a sister could share. It wasn’t the same year of my sister’s death, that I met Paula. It was actually several years later, although, I’ve always found it astounding that God saw fit for us to meet in February. At a time when I would truly miss my own sister, God brought Paula into my life to become my sister.

Paula quickly stepped into that role to help create a new beginning, a new hope that I certainly needed. Paula wasn’t there to replace my sister or her memory. She added to it; the reassurance that I wouldn’t have to face the world alone. Paula became the one person that I learned to trust with my questions and uncertainties. She became that person that I began to entertain life with again. We did a lot of sister things. We giggled. We talked. We cried. We grew up together.

Paula became my confidant. At times, she has been my Christian mentor. She shared her endearing mother with me that carried a very strong FAITH. Being the young women we were, we often needed a Christian mother's influence. There were times when Paula became my rock, when I felt desperate or uncertain. She has remained steadfast, never faltering, always being a good friend.

Paula is the real deal. She is generous, loyal and trustworthy. She is funny, crafty and can be competitive. She is brilliant when it comes to her occupation as a Registered Nurse. It suits her very well. She is patient and compassionate. She is smart and very qualified. She is wise and at the same time, doesn’t second-guess the hard decisions.

Paula is my family. Not only has she become my sister, she is the Aunt to my two daughters. Shannon and Rachel identify no other family as they do their Aunt Paula. Even though, we live far apart, we seize every opportunity to insure our girls grow knowing each other as family. We often joke about how our children take after us. April, Paula’s daughter and I share similar qualities, as do Paula and Shannon, my oldest daughter. Shannon can be very much like Paula when it comes to having a die-hard shopper mentality. They are also equally crafty. When it comes to shopping, well for April and I, not so much. Rachel, my youngest daughter, has a special bond with her Aunt Paula. They connected very quickly in Rachel’s newborn life. When she was born three months pre mature, Paula was there, helping Rachel's fragile beginning strengthen.

There is no one else in this world that I can ever imagine being my best friend and sister. God certainly answered my prayer when He brought her into my life. We have been through many seasons together. Some joyous, some difficult, and yet thirty years feels we're just getting started. We have many more adventures ahead of us.

Paula, I adore you. I appreciate you with every ounce of my being. I thank you for sticking around and sharing this journey with me. Get your flip-flops ready because you and I have date, with a sandy beach, a cool breeze and many more memories to make.

Paula, you are my dearest friend. You are my sister. You’re my family. Here is to thirty years of great times, memorable times, and most defiantly cherished times. I am excited to see what the next thirty will bring. I hope you are too.

Panic Isn't Pretty

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your way submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB)


Recently, I had an anxiety attack. The good news is that, it has been quite some time since this has occurred. I have been doing pretty well in recent months. I was remembering to let things go, not to dwell in one certain area too long. I was beginning to take deeper breaths and laze in the comfort of feeling reassured. I was remembering to focus on positive aspects and enjoy the moment. I am even in the middle of reading, " Eat the Cookie....Buy the Shoes" a book written by Joyce Meyer on giving oneself permission to lighten up. It is filled with different chapters on ways that God wants us to enjoy our lives.

On a positive note, I have come along way from where I stood several years ago. My self confidence had grown in such a way, that the panic attacks are far and few between. It's all about baby steps, especially when God is leading a person to trust in Him fully. I'm getting there and I know I still have a long way to go.

I had been feeling quite confident in God's favor. He has brought me through some pretty dark valleys thus far and through every victory, I have been slowly learning how much God loves me, wants me to be successful, inspires me to achieve personal goals and trust others. The trusting others has been one of the bigger challenges and comes from years of being placed in the care of others that took advantage and mis- used trust. Yet, without wanting to place everyone in the same category of the abuser or simply cheat myself from some pretty neat relationships, I began letting my guard down.

Then Satan, the bugger begins to see my confidence grow and I even mentioned outwardly to my husband on how I feel blessed and favored by God. I can actually feel God's healing touch on the past scars and I can easily see how much He is working in my life. Some of my other friends began to notice too. I began to hear, you have JOY now. I can see how much you are trying to let go of the past and move forward with God's direction.

The recent attack: I suppose I ticked off Satan, because as certain I felt God's presence, Satan decided to mess with me. It sort of crept up on me and I could feel it. I began to find myself in a bad mood, when in recent weeks, I had remained on a even keel. I was beginning to crave areas of sin that I had before, but resisted because I knew that it would only disappoint God. I had not allowed simple or routine disruptions interfere with my daily walk, but suddenly, I was tired and worn out from the unexpected trials. Satan was loving this reaction from me.

I even went at far as wanting to be reassured by another friend, that I emailed her to death, wanting to hearing positive affirmations and reassurances that this too shall pass. I know I drove her nuts and I know she sat patiently, most likely shaking her head every time she saw an email from me, waiting in her in box.

After, the eighth, ninth, or tenth email, I'm not sure. I lost count, although I''m sure she didn't, the responses began coming fewer and fewer. So, you know what Satan put in my mind at that point?

"Well, there you went and did it. You really messed up this time. You blew it!! You just ran that friendship into the ground. Don't expect to hear from her again, at least in a kind way."

Then, the a whole other set of worries and doubt seeped in. Why do I always do this? Why am I so uncertain of another person's word, that I must push the envelope to test it? Why have I not learned by now, that not everyone I befriend will turn out to be like the abusers and liars from my past? After all, God placed the most loving, patient, forgiving and TRUSTWORTHY friends in my path. He desires a healing to continue in me, not have set backs such at this, where I begin to doubt and fear again.

So, what is a girl to do? Well, after a day or so of letting Satan interrupt a good plan and place doubt in my thoughts and actions, I stopped.

First, I had to get over myself. I had to stop with the negative thinking, stop and pray that God would remove it.
Then, I had to ask for His forgiveness for allowing such a thing to work itself in my mind in the first place.
Then, I had to breathe.
Then, I had to remember, God is wanting me to continue to trust in HIM with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. God wants me to submit into HIM and He will continue to lead my paths straight.
Then, I counted my blessing, remembered and thanked HIM!!

So, for that patient friend and you know who you are, thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing me to wallow in self pity for just a little while, but thank you even more for not allowing me to remain there. Panic attacks and pity parties are not pretty. Of course we will have bad days from time to time. And more so, thank God we DO have friends that don't play the game with us in such a way, that we suck them into it as well. I thank God for my strong minded and strong willed friends that aren't afraid to tell me, it's time to pull up your big girl pants and get on with the day.

I am so thankful for the moments in my life that the light bulb still have enough spark to go off, reminding me, God loves me. He want me to be surrounded with good influences and wonderful friends that want the best for me too.

As I pull up my big girl pants and move on, I will hold my head up as well. I will look the next person I see in the eye, smile and know that I am a child of GOD. Nothing can ever tear me away from Him. And if God chooses to favor me, I will be first to attest to HIS GLORY and not allow Satan to STEAL my joy.

Twenty-Five Years And Still Enjoying The Laughs

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2: 24 HCSB)


It has been a while. Time isn't as generous as it used to be. Somewhere between, living, working and doing, it has left little time for me to pen the words I so love to do. Today brought me opportunity, so I'm going for it. A creative mind likes time; time to sit down with thoughts, which allows the creative juices to flow. What ever the hobby one enjoys, photography, scrap booking, teaching, music, or writing, it takes time for the mind, spirit, and creativity to come together.

So today, when I find time to sit and write, I try to imagine some thing heartfelt and inspirational will float my direction. Then it hit me.

Thirty years ago, when youth was taken for granted, I was barely out of high school. Thirty years ago, a boyish, brown eyed stranger floundered his way into my life. Yes, I said, floundered. This fella rounded the corner that represented the serving line, where I stood ready and prepared to serve the next customer. I possibly gripped the handle of the sharpened carving knife a little tighter. The heating lamps kept the tasteful Texas Barbecue warm and I anticipated what I would need to use the knife on. Would it be to slice the beef brisket, a few hot links or slide the blade between the tender ribs. All that escaped my mind when I set eyes on the scuba mask that covered his face and watched him fin his way toward me.

A sudden thought flooded my mind. I could turn and run, but the notion of running with something sharp in my hand could bring me more harm. So instead I stood firm. I glanced over at my friend that stood at her post, the cash register. First, serve the customer, then ring up the bill, would be the natural order of things. I gave her a look as if to say, "Is this guy for real?"

She of course knew him and chuckled as he made his way toward me to place his order as if all was normal in his world. I took his order, made his plate and directed him on his way around the serving line. He removed his gear so he could eat and began visting with his friend, who had also became my friend of recent weeks. I kept my distance. Still a bit uncertain, I let them talk and I observed. After he finished his meal, Jacques Cousteau thanked us for our hospitality and finned his way out toward the exit.

My good friend, explained this was his silly nature. Always the prankster.

After a little time goes by, my friend Paula asks me if I remember this guy. I say, I can hardly forget him. Her next question would be, if I would be interested in going on a date with him. Knowing now, his goofy and playful self was all in fun, I agree. However, my thought process begins. Even though I grew up in South Texas with plenty of opportunity to swim, I had never been snorkeling. Would he be leaving his swim gear at home this time?

As they say, the rest is history.

25 years later, the nutty swim boy and I are celebrating our 25 wedding anniversary.

I guess the first thing would come to one's mind is sharing of our sense of humor. Right off the bat, I learned his quirky ways. In many respects, I eased him into mine. One thing after all these years is we still have fun, we laugh and we enjoy one another's company. But it's also been more that that. While laughing is important, I have found that being married to goofy and sometimes down right insane guy, that God hand picked him for me.

God knew that I would need to laugh a lot, but he also knew that I would need a man that sticks by his word, remain trustworthy and stand by his family. Charles has given me many years of tenderness right along with the laughs. In many ways, we have grown up together, learning and maturing in our marriage. Moments have been tough a time or two, like when our youngest daughter was born three months pre mature. We united together as one flesh to get through that, watching her body heal and grow stronger. We both adore our girls that have grown up into very responsible and grounded young women. I love being their mom as much as Charles loves being their dad.

Other times, when we have to count on one another's support in dealing with deaths and illnesses with our own parents. The struggles was there, but again we united as one.

Today, we appreciate one another even more. I will be honest and say that I don't look at Charles the same way I did those many years ago. Yes, I still appreciate his sense of humor, but I see so much more today. He is a man that loves his wife and his children with all that his has. He is man that works hard to provide what his can and when he makes a promise he keeps it. He is man that has become my friend. He is man that encourages me to dream. He is man that loves God and even through the faults, is still designed to do God's will in his life and in ours. I have seen him mature in Christ. That in itself is worth sticking around for.

Charles Barkley Jr, I love you with all my heart and I am glad you artificially swam into my life, 30 years ago. You are kooky as the day as long, but I wouldn't change a thing about you. Well, maybe one....please stop balling up your socks. It's a bear to go through, unknotting each one before tossing them in the wash.

January 4, 2011, Happy 25th Anniversary!!!

Side note: I still hold my friend Paula close to my heart. She has been my sister and friend for 30 years. I don't hold any of this against her.